Angela Carter's life to be remembered

She is known for her twisted 20th-century take on ancient fairytales, but Angela Carter, who died at the age of 51, has - until now - never had her own story told.

A Card from Angela Carter will be written by her close friend and literary executor Susannah Clapp, who will recall Carter’s life, friendship and work in a book based on the postcards the writer sent to her.

The book "will catch this unique artist on the wing", according to the publisher, Bloomsbury, which is tying in publication to the 20th anniversary of her death in February 2012.

Carter was born in Eastbourne in 1940, and became a journalist. She went on to study English Literature at Bristol University and author novels, short stories, poetry and prose as well as a film script of her short story The Company of Wolves with director Neil Jordan. She indirectly lead to the birth of the Orange Prize for Fiction, which rewards female writing, after her books were consistently omitted from the Man Booker shortlists. Carter died in 1992.

Some classic Angela Carter reads:

The Bloody Chamber: a collection of 10 stories reworking the tropes of traditional fairytales, from Bluebeard’s Castle to Puss in Boots: darkly erotic, sometimes shocking, oft feminist, vividly violent

Nights at the Circus: the story of Fevvers, the tall, blonde winged trapeze artist and the young journalist who falls under her spell

Wise Children: Carter’s last novel is a tale of performance, carnival, family and riotous old age, following two chorus girls, Dora and Nora Chance

A Card from Angela Carter by Susannah Clapp will be published by Bloomsbury in February 2012.